CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2023), nutrition is a crucial component of overall health, particularly during pregnancy. Adequate nutrition is not only important for the health of the expectant mother, but also for the development of the fetus and the well-being of the baby during infancy and beyond. During the gestation period, women's nutritional needs increase, especially for specific nutrients. Inadequate intake of these nutrients can lead to adverse developmental outcomes in infants, such as low birth weight, which refers to infants weighing less than 5.5 pounds or 2,500 grams at birth, among other issues (University of Hawai’I, 2023).
Vitamin A is one of the essential nutrients required for a healthy pregnancy. One crucial nutrient for a healthy pregnancy is Vitamin A. This nutrient plays a significant role in maintaining ocular function by contributing to cell differentiation, eye integrity preservation, and preventing xerophthalmia. A deficiency of this nutrient is the primary cause of preventable blindness globally (WHO, 2009). Apart from its role in ocular health, Vitamin A is also associated with bone development. It has a protective effect on the skin and mucosa, helps maintain functional reproductive organs, strengthens the immune system, and contributes to the growth and maintenance of epithelial tissue.
Additionally, Vitamin A is necessary for the development of normal teeth and hair (D’Ambrosio et al., 2011). Aside its crucial function in multiple bodily tissues, Vitamin A plays a vital role in the proper growth and development of the embryo (Gutierrez-Mazariegos et al., 2011; Bastos et al., 2019). Thus, it is recommended that pregnant women incorporate sufficient quantities of Vitamin A-rich foods in their diets to ensure adequate nutrition and avert Vitamin A deficiency.
Vitamin A deficiency is a pressing public health issue in over 50% of nations, particularly in Africa and South-East Asia. The harmful consequences of inadequate Vitamin A intake are particularly apparent in expectant mothers and young children who live in impoverished areas. One of the first symptoms of a Vitamin A deficiency is the inability to see properly in low-light conditions, commonly referred to as night blindness. The condition can aggravate and lead to blindness by inducing extreme dryness in the cornea, causing damage to the retina and cornea. Shockingly, an approximate 250,000 to 500,000 children suffering from Vitamin A deficiency lose their sight annually, and half of them die within a year of blindness onset.
The deficiency of Vitamin A is linked to substantial illness and death resulting from prevalent childhood infections. Moreso, it is the primary avoidable cause of blindness in children. Maternal mortality and adverse consequences of pregnancy and lactation are also attributable to Vitamin A inadequacy. The ability to combat infections is also adversely impacted by Vitamin A deficiency. Even the mildest form of subclinical deficiency may lead to respiratory and diarrheal infections, diminished growth rates, hindered bone development, and lower the chances of survival from severe illnesses (WHO, 2009).
The pregnancy phase calls for specific nutritional requirements to sustain the well-being of both the mother and the fetus. During this stage, the need for Vitamin A is heightened, especially in the third trimester, due to the rapid growth and development of the fetus (WHO, 2013). Nonetheless, numerous expectant mothers fail to incorporate adequate quantities of Vitamin A-rich foods in their diets, resulting in a deficiency. Nearly 19 million expectant mothers experienced Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD) between 1995 and 2005, with an approximated 9.8 million of them developing night blindness (WHO, 2009).
Incorporating vitamin A-rich foods in the diet is crucial during pregnancy to ensure optimal health and well-being of both the mother and the developing fetus. There are two types of vitamin A found in foods, namely preformed vitamin A (retinol), present in animal products such as human milk, liver, glandular meats, fish liver oils, egg yolk, whole milk, and other dairy products, and Provitamin A, which is found in plant-based sources like spinach and kale, pumpkins, squash, and carrots as well as mangoes, apricots, and papayas. (Aserese et al., 2020).
However, many pregnant women neglect to consume enough vitamin A-rich foods despite their essential function, which leads to a deficit and its unfavourable effects. Some of the causes of poor intake include lack of information about the value of vitamin A during pregnancy, restricted access to these foods, and cultural beliefs and choices(Ramulondi et al., 2021; Zerfu and Biadgilign, 2018).
Therefore, there is a need to assess the intake of vitamin A-rich foods among pregnant women, identify gaps in knowledge and practice, and develop interventions to improve intake.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
According to the WHO (2009), vitamin A deficiency is a severe public health issue that is particularly prevalent in developing nations. Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to this deficiency. Studies have revealed that many pregnant women do not consume enough vitamin A-rich foods, despite the fact that doing so is essential for preventing vitamin A insufficiency in pregnant women (Bastos et al., 2019). The problem, therefore, is to assess the consumption of Vitamin A-rich foods among pregnant women, particularly in Nigeria, to determine the factors that influence their consumption patterns and to develop interventions to promote the consumption of these foods.
1.3 Aim of the Study
The study aims to assess the intake of Vitamin A-rich foods among pregnant women.
1.4 Objectives of the Study
The study has the following specific objectives:
- To assess the level of consumption of Vitamin A-rich foods among pregnant women in Nigeria.
- To identify the factors that influence the consumption of Vitamin A-rich foods among pregnant women in Nigeria.
- To develop and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to promote the consumption of Vitamin A-rich foods among pregnant women in Nigeria.
1.5 Research Questions
1. What is the level of consumption of Vitamin A-rich foods among pregnant women in Nigeria.
2. What are the factors that influence the consumption of Vitamin A-rich foods among pregnant women in Nigeria.
3. How effective are the interventions to promote the consumption of Vitamin A-rich foods among pregnant women in Nigeria.
1.6 Research Hypothesis
H0: There is no significant relationship between the factors that influence consumption of Vitamin A-rich foods among pregnant women in Nigeria and the level of consumption.
Ha: There is a significant relationship between the factors that influence consumption of Vitamin A-rich foods among pregnant women in Nigeria and the level of consumption.
1.7 Justification of the Study
The importance of vitamin A intake during pregnancy cannot be overemphasized. Adequate vitamin A intake is essential for the growth and development of the fetus, as well as the health of the mother. Despite this, many pregnant women do not consume enough vitamin A-rich foods, which can lead to maternal and fetal complications. Therefore, this study is justified as it will provide valuable information on the dietary habits of pregnant women in relation to vitamin A-rich foods.
The significance of this study lies in its potential to inform the development of targeted interventions to improve the consumption of vitamin A-rich foods among pregnant women. The information generated from this study will be useful for policymakers, health professionals, and nutritionists in developing strategies to improve the dietary intake of vitamin A among pregnant women. The findings of this study may also contribute to the development of educational materials and programs aimed at increasing awareness of the importance of vitamin A intake during pregnancy.
Additionally, this study will contribute to the body of knowledge on the consumption of vitamin A-rich foods among pregnant women, particularly in the selected area. This information will be useful in future research aimed at assessing the impact of inadequate vitamin A intake on maternal and fetal health outcomes. Furthermore, the study will identify the barriers to the consumption of vitamin A-rich foods among pregnant women, which will provide valuable information for developing strategies to overcome these barriers and improve the dietary intake of vitamin A among pregnant women. Overall, this study has significant potential to contribute to improving the health and well-being of pregnant women and their infants.
1.8 Scope of the Study
This study covers the assessment of Vitamin A rich foods among pregnant women. The study will be conducted among pregnant women from selected regions in Nigeria.
